PenOp Collaborates With NGO On Elderly Pensioners Treatment

Yemisi Izuora

Pension Fund Operators of Nigeria, (PenOp) is collaborating with a Non-Government Organisation, Orange Health Initiative and Legus Foundation, owners of Veteran Hospital to provide free medical treatment for the elderly people of 60 years and above.

The initiative aims at supporting about 1000 elderly people currently receiving free treatment for various ailments in Lagos.

Code named Project Gray 2.0, the week-long exercise would see about 1000 elderly people treated for various ailments such as prostate cancer, hernia, breast lump, diabetics, and general surgeries conducted by specialist surgeons, gynecologists, oncologists, nurses and other medical experts.

The retirees on the Contributory Pension Scheme (CPS) are majorly the beneficiaries of this noble initiative.

PFAs have, so far, sent over 250 elderly people in their registers to obtain free medics during the exercise, the course that received applaud from the retirees under the CPS.

With the target of over 1000 patients to be treated  during the programme many others are on their way to partake, according to the PenOp.

The Executive Secretary of PenOp, Susan Oranye, said the significance of Project Gray 2.0 cannot be overemphasized as it focuses on the  health and wellbeing of the elderly.

She said Operators understand that having a pensions to fall back on in retirement and good health is the main focus of many elderly men and women, adding “It is this commitment to the wellbeing of old people that led to PenOp’s collaboration with the Orange Health Initiative in ensuring that these people have unhindered access to medical checkups and treatments for this week”.

She said; “The Project Gray 2.0 is an initiative that celebrates the World’s Elders’ Day. Now, it is important that as a country and as a people we take care of our elderly, make sure that in retirement they can, at least, maintain a decent standard of living. This is the ethos that guides the pension system in the country.”

Oranye added that “PenOp is exceedingly excited about this programme because this project marks the kickoff first Geriatric Hospital in Nigeria and this is something we are passionate about.

Dr. KunleMegbuwawon, the Coordinator of Orange Health Initiative said; “Our goal in this program is to take care of elderly people especially retirees. We believe that to get to that golden age is a privilege, not a right. I saw that if I was dead I wouldn’t have been privileged to do what I am doing. That is how the Project Gray started.

“For this year we are looking at treating 1000 elderly people, we are looking at doing 50 surgeries, 15 Cataract surgeries we have various experts, orthopologists, psychiatric, general practice surgeons, neo-surgeon, that are on ground to help people.” Megboawon explained.